13 Reasons to Fire Your Lawyer and How To Do It

Good, talented professionals can be found in every industry, but there are also those who lack talent or less motivation to do things that were agreed to do for their clients before signing the contract. And the legal industry is not an exception.

If you’ve already signed an agreement with a lawyer, but you gradually find that the lawyer is not really helping you, what are solid reasons to fire your lawyer?

1. Your Lawyer Isn’t Answering Your Calls

This is one of the most common complaints people have about their lawyers. If you’ve hired a lawyer and are paying them by the hour, you expect to be able to get in touch with them when you need to.

Of course, there will be times when your lawyer is unavailable. They may be in court, in meetings, or working on other cases. But if you’re finding that you can’t get in touch with your lawyer on a regular basis, it indicates that the lawyer is not taking your case seriously, or is not prioritizing your needs. It may be time to fire the lawyer and find a new one.

2. Your Lawyer Is Not Keeping You Updated

Another common complaint is that lawyers fail to keep their clients updated on the status of their cases. If you’ve hired a lawyer to help you with a specific legal issue, you expect to be kept up-to-date on the status of your case.

You should be able to get regular updates from your lawyer on what is happening with your case, and what the next steps are. If you’re finding that you have to constantly chase your lawyer for updates, it may be time to look for someone new.

3. Your Lawyer Is Disorganized Or Unprepared

A disorganized or unprepared lawyer can cost you dearly in terms of both time and money. If your lawyer is constantly missing deadlines, losing important documents, or forgetting key details of your case, it’s a sign that they are not on top of things. This can end up costing you more money in the long run, as well as causing unnecessary stress.

If you’ve been dealing with a disorganized or unprepared lawyer, it may be time to find someone who is more organized and capable of handling your case effectively.

4. Your Lawyer Is Not Honest With You

One of the most important qualities you should look for in a lawyer is honesty. You should be able to trust your lawyer to give you honest advice and to tell you the truth about your case, even if it’s not what you want to hear.

If you feel like your lawyer is not being honest with you, or is withholding information from you, it’s a sign that the relationship is not working. It may be time to find a new lawyer who you can trust.

5. Your Lawyer Is Not Responsive

When you have a legal issue, it’s important to be able to get in touch with your lawyer in a timely manner. If you’re finding that your lawyer is not returning your calls or emails in a timely manner, it’s a sign that they are not prioritizing your case. This can be frustrating and cause unnecessary delays.

If you’ve been trying to get in touch with your lawyer without success, it may be time to find someone who is more responsive.

6. Your Lawyer Is Not Experienced And Don’t Have The Ability To Handle Your Case

If you have a complex legal issue, it’s important to find a lawyer who is experienced in handling cases like yours. If your lawyer is not experienced, they may not know how to effectively handle your case, which can cause delays and problems.

It’s also important to make sure that your lawyer has the resources and ability to handle your case. If your lawyer is not able to devote the time and resources necessary to your case, it may be time to find someone who can.

It’s important to find a lawyer who has experience in the specific area of law you need help with. If you’re not sure whether your lawyer is experienced enough, you can ask them for references or check their website.

7. Your Lawyer Is Not A Good Fit

Sometimes, the relationship between you and the lawyer is the issue rather than the lawyer themselves. It could be time to look for a new attorney if you don’t feel comfortable working with your current one.

It’s critical to select a legal representative you can trust and with whom you feel at ease. It could be time to choose a new attorney if you don’t feel like you have that connection with your current one.

8. You Disagree With Your Lawyer’s Advice

It’s important to find a lawyer whose legal opinion you trust. If you disagree with your lawyer’s advice, it may be because they are not the right fit for you.

If you’re not sure whether you should follow your lawyer’s advice, you can always get a second opinion from another lawyer.

9. Unreasonable Billing Practices

Your lawyer should be transparent about their billing practices, and you should have a good understanding of how you will be charged for their services. If you feel like your lawyer is overcharging you, or is not being upfront about their billing practices, it’s a sign that there may be a problem.

If you’re not sure whether you’re being charged fairly, you can ask for an itemized bill, or get a second opinion from another lawyer.

10. Unethical Behavior Or Misconduct

Your attorney has an obligation to conduct themselves ethically. If you believe that your lawyer has behaved unethically, or has engaged in misconduct, you can file a complaint with your state’s bar association.

11. Legal Malpractice

If your lawyer has behaved negligently or recklessly, and you’ve suffered damages as a result, you may have a claim for legal malpractice. This is a complex area of law, and you should speak with another lawyer to see if you have a case.

12. Lack of Dedication or Compassion

Your lawyer should be dedicated to your case, and should show compassion for your situation. If you feel like your lawyer is not interested in your case, or does not care about you as a person, it’s a sign that there may be a problem.

13. You No Longer Need a Lawyer

There are many reasons why you may have originally hired a lawyer, but no longer need their services. For example, you may have reached a settlement in your case, or the statute of limitations may have expired.

If you no longer need a lawyer, you can simply stop using their services. You may want to send them a letter informing them that you no longer need their services and telling them how to reach you if they need to get in touch.

No matter what the reason, if you’re not happy with your lawyer, it may be time to find someone new. Firing your lawyer is not a decision to be made lightly, but if you feel like it’s the best decision for you and your case, don’t hesitate to do it.

How to Fire Your Lawyer

If you’ve decided that it’s time to fire your lawyer, there are a few things you need to do. First, you should send a written notice to your lawyer, informing them that you are terminating their services. This written notice should include your name, address, and phone number, as well as the name of your lawyer and their firm.

You should also include a statement that you are firing your lawyer, and the reason why. It’s important to be clear and concise in your notice, so that there is no confusion about your decision.

Once you’ve sent your notice, you should follow up with a phone call to your lawyer to confirm that they have received it. If you don’t hear back from your lawyer, you can also send a certified letter.

Once you’ve officially fired your lawyer, you will need to find a new one. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family, or you can search online for lawyers in your area.

When you meet with a new lawyer, be sure to explain the situation and why you decided to fire your lawyer. This will help them understand your case better and give them a chance to determine whether they can help you.

Final Thought

When you hire a lawyer, you should feel confident that they will represent you effectively and efficiently. If you’re not happy with your current lawyer, it may be time to find someone new. Use this guide to help you decide whether it’s time to fire your lawyer, and how to go about doing it.